College Visits
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Scheduling a Visit
College visits should be planned at least one week in advance. It is best to visit when the college is in session. Two absenses for college visits are permitted, but visits are not allowed in May. Try to visit on days that CHS has no school. A white slip must be signed by teachers before the visit.
Call the Admissions office of the college to make arrangements, or ask your counselor to make the arrangements. It is recommended that parents visit colleges with their student.
What Do You Do On a College Visit? - From www.eguidancecounselor.com
Nothing comes as close to helping you decide if a certain college will be right for you as a visit to its campus. Depending on the scope of your geographic search for colleges, visiting some or most of the colleges to which you apply could be difficult for you and your family. But, when it is possible, try to visit the campus at least once before making your final decision to attend.
When you visit a college, you should take the tour of the campus offered by the admission office. When you are planning your visit, you can find out the times of the tours. Taking the "official" tour will give you a chance to see the college as it wants to present itself. Your tour guide will likely be a current student, and someone who is probably very happy and doing well.
Most Admission Offices host group information sessions, either just before or just after the scheduled campus tours. Find out if such a session is being conducted, and listen to what the admission officer has to say about the institution and the admission process.
If interviews are available, and if you are planning on getting an interview, you would want to schedule it around the tour and information session.
What else should you do on your visit? You definitely want to give yourself time to see the campus through your on eyes. Was there some place you wanted to visit that the tour did not? Go there. If you are with your parents, separate yourself from them and then compare notes when you get back together. Just wandering around to get a feel for the place is invaluable. You can learn a lot about an institution just by looking at the students, the professors, the administrators, the grounds, and the facilities.
Read the bulletin boards. Look inside classrooms. If you have an interest in athletics, or the arts, or science labs, check out those facilities. Get a copy of the student newspaper. Eat in the cafeteria with the students. You will find most students very happy to spend a few minutes with you, answering your questions about their college.
Questions to Ask On a College Visit - from EducationQuest
When you talk to admissions representatives, ask them:
1. What are the admissions requirements?
2. Does the college have academic programs that fit my interests?
3. What is the average class size? Are classes taught by professors or graduate assistants?
4. Does the college offer a freshmen summer orientation program?
5. Will I have access to computers and other special equipment?
6. Where are students from? Is the campus diverse? Can I study abroad?
7. What internships and career planning and placement services are available?
8. What new programs or facilities will be available in the near future?
When you talk to a financial aid counselor, ask them:
1. What applications are required for scholarships and financial aid, and what are the deadlines? Are academic and departmental scholarships available?
2. What is an estimate of my financial aid package?
3. What are some suggestions for financing college?
As you tour campus, ask yourself:
1. Are the residence halls pleasant and quiet enough to study in?
2. Is off-campus housing available for upperclassmen?
3. What's the cafeteria like?
4. Would I like living in this town or city?
5. Do campus posters publicize activities that interest me?
When you talk to current students, ask them:
1. How easy is it to register for classes? Is it difficult to get into some classes?
2. Are faculty members interested in their students and accessible outside of class?
3. Is the library a good place to study and do research?
4. Are campus jobs readily available?
5. How safe is campus? What security features are in place?
6. Does the college offer evening and weekend activities?
7. What is the Greek system like?
When your visit is over, ask yourself:
1. Could I adjust to the academic demands and atmosphere?
2. Were the students the kind of people I'd like to know?
3. Did I like the social atmosphere?
4. Am I comfortable with the size of the college and the average class size?
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